Tell-Tale Signs Of Magnesium Deficiency

The first thoughts that comes to most of our minds might be to see our doctor for a check up and ask if our magnesium levels are alright.

Blood Tests Aren’t Everything

What we end up with is a blood serum test, which is the standard clinical test used to detect levels of magnesium in our body.

The flaw with this test however, is that only 1% of the entire body’s magnesium is found in the blood, with only 0.3% found in blood serum.

So unless we want inaccurate readings indicating that we’re magnesium deficient in every way possible, we’ll get much more accurate results with these methods.

Not to mention they’re completed free.

Beverage Intake

Do we consume any of these beverages on a regular basis?

Carbonated beverages (soda, other phosphate-laden drinks)

Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, energy drinks)

Alcohol

The problem with carbonated beverages is the phosphate content. While carbonated water typically doesn’t have any phosphate included in it, all sodas and other carbonated soft drinks usually contain this mineral.

Phosphate binds to magnesium within our digestive tract. This makes it impossible for our bodies to absorb the magnesium that are binded, and it passes in our stool and urine.

Food And Supplement Intake

Do we consume sweets, candy, pastries, cakes, desserts, and other junk foods regularly?

Even if we only have these sparingly, we’re most likely still leaching magnesium from our body in the process.

This leaching process happens in 3 different ways:

Much like alcohol and caffeine, these types of foods causes our kidneys to excrete excess amounts of magnesium

These foods in themselves are devoid of ANY magnesium, having been refined and processed

These foods takes up nutrients and minerals during the digestion process

Point 2 and 3 are linked in that Point 3 applies to ALL foods that we eat. Whenever our body needs to digest, it requires energy, nutrients, minerals, etc. to complete that process.

Too Much Of A Good (Tasting) Thing Is A Bad Thing

Quality, whole foods has enough nutrients in them to offset the “required usage for digestion”. But when we eat processed, refined sweets that are empty in nutrients, we’re using up our own sources of nutrients, including magnesium, and getting nothing back from it.

The one supplement that can be dangerous for maintaining healthy magnesium levels is calcium.

When our bodies are deficient in magnesium, it tends to hold on to calcium at all cost. This is likely the case for most that are supposedly “low” on calcium.

Taking calcium supplements in this case will only disrupt the delicate balance between magnesium and calcium in our cells and organs even more.

This makes it even harder for us to absorb the magnesium our body so desperately needs, creating a vicious cycle of plummeting magnesium levels.

Surgery And Medication

Stress in general, either physical or emotional, places a toll on the body. Our magnesium levels are no exception.

Stress in all its forms can cause a magnesium deficiency if we’re not careful. Whether it’s a physical stress like a recent surgery, broken bones, burns, or emotional stress like deadlines from work or death of a loved one, our magnesium levels are compromised when we undergo these situations.

Certain medications are known to deplete our magnesium stores. I’m not in any way advocating that we ditch our meds in favor of maintaining our mineral levels.

But it’s important to weigh out the risks with each.

Here are some of the common medications that are known to lower magnesium levels²:

Experiences

There are various neurological and physical symptoms that indicates our magnesium levels are not where they should be. If we experience any of these symptoms, it most likely means we’re magnesium deficient.

Anxiety

Burst Of Hyperactivity

Trouble falling asleep

Trouble staying asleep

Muscle spasms and cramping

Fibromylgia

Facial ticks and eye twitches

Magnesium is essential in proper nerve conduction, and an imbalance in electrolytes occurs when we’re magnesium deficient.

This can cause the neurological problems mentioned, including depression.

Calcium and magnesium work side by side to regulate the contraction and relaxation of our muscles. Without adequate magnesium, our muscles can’t relax properly, leading to bouts of spasms, cramps, and twitches.

Age

Those of us more advanced in years have decreased digestive efficiency, which means less nutrients and minerals are absorbed from our foods, including magnesium.

The level of magnesium deficiency are more pronounced in those 55 years young or older compared to those younger in years.

The causes of magnesium deficiency mentioned above affects them to a greater extent as well.

Benefits Of Magnesium

I’ve made it clear at this point the importance of getting enough magnesium.

But I don’t want your motivation to be out of fear for all the side effects and illnesses that comes with magnesium deficiency. Instead, think of all the benefits that magnesium to bring into your life. Just to name a few³:

Maintains proper muscle relaxation and heart health

Regulates messages sent between the brain and our nervous system

Aids the body’s use of calcium and other minerals

Maintain cell membranes’ structural health in our body

Assist in DNA prescriptions, energy production, and synthesis of proteins

Modulate insulin sensitivity and regulate cholesterol production

Regulates metabolism of macronutrients

Assist in bone and teeth formation

Increased energy levels and mood

Increased athletic performance

Get The Pep Back In Your Step

The benefits doesn’t just stop there. Sufficient magnesium levels prevents diseases like osteoporosis and hypertension. Not to mention that unlike prescription drugs, magnesium can be stored in our body for later use.

Yes, you read that right. Magnesium not used at the time can be stored away and used later by our body for its regular functions.

Different Ways Of Getting Magnesium

With all the benefits of magnesium laid out, the next question in line is obviously how do we get more magnesium into our system?

I mean, do we just rely on the foods we eat? Or should we look at capsules or pills from supplement stores? Are they even necessary?

Consider the statistic mentioned at the beginning of the article. Over half of the US population is deficient in magnesium according to the current RDA. There have been talks among medical researchers to DOUBLE the current magnesium RDA to prevent illnesses like osteoporosis and hypertension.

So the current RDA might not even be enough, and in just one country, we have over 150 million who are under that amount. Then we have another 60 million people, 20% of the US population, who are getting LESS THAN HALF the current RDA.

I’m not sure about you, but this tells me that magnesium intake needs to be amped up, BIG TIME.

Supplementation Required

Of course, the first thought is getting more magnesium through our food. This is perfectly logical until we see that thinking is the contributing cause of the magnesium deficiency we see today.

People are constantly reminded to eat more greens and other magnesium rich foods to boost their levels.

Supplementing with magnesium is a definite must in our society today. It’s tough enough for those of us in good health to get enough magnesium through food.

The rest of us that might be under a lot of stress, taking certain medications, or consumes not-so-healthy foods on a regular basis are pretty much automatically magnesium deficient.

When it comes to magnesium supplements, there are mainly 2 types: oral and transdermal.

Oral Supplementation

Oral magnesium supplements usually come in the form of a capsule. The most type of oral magnesium supplement is is in the form of magnesium oxide.

Although this is the cheapest in cost due to its abundance, it’s also the lowest in terms of bioavailability. Some studies have shown that only 4% of magnesium oxide is actually absorbed by our body4.

Next, we have a series of magnesium acid complexes that are made in a lab. These are labeled “organic”, but don’t be fooled.

The “organic” label is slapped on there based on the definition of organic chemistry. There’s nothing agriculturally organic about these magnesium acid complexes made in a laboratory.

Some of these “organic” magnesium supplements include:

Magnesium Ascorbate

Magnesium Aspartate

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium Fumarate

Magnesium Gluconate

Magnesium Glutamate

Magnesium Lactate

Magnesium Malate

Magnesium Pidolate

My personal advice, stay away from these man-made synthetic magnesium supplements. There are only a handful of natural elements in this world that are actually better for us after going through a man-made refining process.

This next one is a personal favorite of mine. The Ancient Mineral Magnesium Gel delivers all the same skin healing properties as the bath flakes, but can be applied directly to the skin for those that can handle it.

It is my choice of massage gel when I go for a massage. Not only am I getting a soothing, relaxing massage, but I’m getting my dose of much needed magnesium.

The fact that magnesium relaxes my muscles makes the massage feel that much better. It really is a feeling to be experienced.

With 490 mg of magnesium per teaspoon, the gel includes certified organic aloe vera extract that has both topical and cosmetic applications.

I found if I ever break out with acne, a simply application of this gel makes them go away within the day.

I've just started getting serious about health and fitness around 2014. Since then I've learned the insider info on how to optimize athletic performance and healthy living through both nutrition and proper training. The most important thing I've discovered however, is the connection between the mindset of those that excel in athletics, and those that succeed in their life pursuits. I've spent the last couple years observing and drawing these connections and similarities, finally created a platform to share with you all what I've found, and how to apply them in your own life to get similar results.